The Literary Timeline Page
Timeline for Literature
A guide for students of AS/A2 English Language and Literature/English Literature - please also take a look at The Reading Page - this has more detail on specific writers, movements and periods.
Old English/Anglo-Saxon Period
circa: 440-1066
Literature from this period may have elements of:
successful and heroic warriors
belief in fate
the juxtaposition of both Christian and pagan ideas
an expression of religious faith and moral instruction through literature
Style/Genres from the period:
strong oral tradition in literature
dominance of poetic form – particularly epic poetry
Poetry from the period has a unique verse form, using:
· caesura
· alliteration
· repetition
· a 4 beat rhythm
· kennings
Historical Context:
During this time, Christianity helped literacy to spread and the Roman alphabet was introduced toBritain. The oral tradition helped to unite a diverse people, spreading their myths. The country consisted of diverse tribes/clans who ruled themselves, originating from other areas and indicating out island’s history of invasion, e.g.Angles, Saxons, Jutes and Danes.
Read more about the history of this period: Early British Kingdoms 410 - 598 A.D. and 600 – 937 A.D.; Anglo-Saxon England 597-687 A.D., 688 – 801 A.D., 801-898 A.D., 899 – 977 A.D. and 978 – 1066 A.D.
Key Literature/Authors:
Beowulf is the most famous epic poem from this period – find out more at Wikipedia; read the prologue from Beowulf and then explore the translation; listen to the prologue from Beowulf being read . If you wish to explore the text more, visit McMaster University's site . The British Library holds the manuscript and has lots more information. If you are becoming seriously intrigued by the text, visit this similarly obsessed site !
Other literature includes The Anglo-Saxon Chronicles - a famed collection of historical accounts. For specific literature from this period – begin research at a site like Wikipedia and then go further.
Middle English Period(The Medieval Period)
circa: 1066-1485
Literature from this period may have elements of:
instructing the illiterate masses in morals and religion, e.g. The Medieval Mystery Plays
a chivalric code of honour
Style/Genres from the period:
oral tradition continues
romances
folk ballads
mystery and miracle plays
morality plays
stock epithets
frame stories
moral tales
The church is able to educate people through literature – The Medieval Mystery Plays. Though undeniably the majority of literature is by male writers do not discount female writers of this time: Julian of Norwich is one of the most famous of these, believed to be the first female writer of a text in the English Language.
Historical Context:
Read more about the historical events of the period, including: the invading Normans , the Crusades, increased trade, the beginnings of a judicial system and the growth of chivalry in Britain.
Key Literature/writers:
Ø Julian of Norwich - read more about her at Wikipedia or read her famous text, Revelations of Divine Love .
Ø Thomas Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur
Ø Geoffrey Chaucer including, The Canterbury Tales (this link to Wikipedia also leads to some texts with translations; otherwise look at www.online-literature.com/chaucer/canterbury with a fair translation at this site.
Ø Anonymous author of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight with text and translation from the university of Toronto.
There are of course hundreds more! I will keep reviewing this page and adding links to other literature. If there is anything you come across and would like to see placed on here – ask!
circa: 1485-1660
Ø world view shifts from religion and after life to one stressing the human life on earth
Ø popular theme: development of human potential
Ø popular theme: many aspects of love explored
· unrequited love
· constant love
· timeless love
· courtly love
· love subject to change
Style/Genres from the period:
poetry often written for a patron: the sonnet, metaphysical poetry; use of the conceit
drama, written in blank verse and supported by royalty often in the form of a tragedy, comedy or history
This is definitely perceived as the age of the drama – Shakespeare, Marlowe, Jonson and many others spring to mind when we think of the Elizabethan and Jacobean stage in particular.
Historical Context:
The Reformation and Restoration Period (the historical period and movement that we know as “The Renaissance” do not totally match)
Key Literature/Authors:
* William Shakespeare (I’m not putting a link here – there are thousands! However, see the Shakespeare page for more links)
* John Donne
*Cavalier Poets
* Metaphysical Poets
* Christopher Marlowe
* Andrew Marvell